Taxi fares are set to increase in August due to spiralling petrol prices

The knock-on effects of soaring fuel prices are taking their toll on SA's poorest citizens.

KWAMHLANGA, SOUTH AFRICA  APRIL 17: Commuters board taxis during the nationwide bus strike on April 17, 2018 in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. Thousands were left stranded and many forced to stand in long queues following a crippling bus strike where at least 50 bus companies shut down services across the country on Wednesday 17 April 2018. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele)

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) have blamed increases in taxi fares on the current situation with South Africa’s petrol prices.

“For the January 2017 until January 2018 period alone the petrol price has increased with 130%. There was a further fuel levy increase in 2018. Santaco has therefore decided the August 2018 increases will only be valid until June 2019‚ when they will be reviewed.”

“Santaco regrets the impact of these increases on the commuters‚ especially the poor‚ but unless they are effected‚ many taxi operators will struggle to stay in business and consequently offer this much-needed service.”

Taxi fares increase for August 2018: How much more will it cost to travel?

Local trips are set to rise by R1-R10, and long distance journeys will now be R10-R20 more expensive. The amount you’ll be paying depends on how far you’re travelling.

The new price structure will stay in place for a further 10 months, before being reviewed in June 2019. Some South Africans may now have to pay R40 more for their travel per day, which will have a devastating effect on workers with no other means of transport.

Will petrol prices decrease in South Africa in September?

Not likely. The CEO of Debt Rescue, Neil Roets, warns of a looming spike in petrol prices come September. He spoke to Business Tech on the likelihood of a September increase and stated that fuel costs will keep going up.

Roets says that while petrol prices have steadied in August, the knock-on effect of an already exorbitant fuel price is due to catch-up with ordinary South Africans, warning that even fewer citizens will be able to “keep putting food on the table“.